CHAP. XVIII.

seek an inheritance. with me, and be unto me a father and go up against them: for we have seen a priest, and I will give thee ten shek. the land, and, behold, it is very good; els of silver by the year, and a suit of and are ye still? Be not slothful to go, apparel, and thy victuals. So the Le-and to enter to possess the land.

11 T And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorahı 13 Then said Micah, Now know 1aud out of Eshtaol, six hundred men that the LORD will do me good, seeing appointed with weapons of war. I have a Levite to my priest.

N those days there was no king in Is they called that place Mahaneh-dan Tibose there was a the torbe of unto this day, beach, it is bebid the Danites sought them an inheritance | Kirjath-jearim.

to dwell in; for unto that day all their 13And they passed thence unto mount inheritance had not fallen unto them Ephraim, and came unto the house of among the tribes of Israel.

2 And the children of Dan sent of 14 T Then answered the five men their family five men from their coasts, that went to spy out the country of inen of valour, from Zorah, and from Laish, and said unto their brethren, Eshitaol, to spy out the land, and to Do ye know that there is in these search it; and they said unto them, houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a Go, search the land; who, when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.

19 And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth and go with us, and be to u and a priest: is it better a priest unto the house 8 And they came unto their brethren that thou be a priest to Zorah and Eshtaol; and their breth-family in Israel ? ren said unto them, What say ye? 20 And the pries, 9. And they said, Arise, that we may [and he tock the ep

The Levite

JUDGES.

and his concubine

phim, and the graven image, and went rael, that there was a certain Levite in the midst of the people.

sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubins out of Beth-lehem-judab.

21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones, and the cattle, and the carriage, before them. 2 And his concubine played the 22 T And when they were a good whore against him, and went away way from the house of Micah, the from him unto her father's house, to men that were in the houses near to Beth-lehem judah, and was there four Micah's house were gathered together, whole months. and overlook the children of Dan. 3 And her husband arose, and went 23 And they cried unto the children after her, to speak friendly unto her, of Dan and they turned their faces, and to bring her again, having his serand said unto Micah, What aileth vant with him, and a couple of asses: thee, that thou comest with such a and she brought him into her father's company? house; and when the father of the 24 And he said, Ye have taken away damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet my gods which I made, and the priest, him.

and ye are gone away; and what have 4 And his father-in-law, the damsel's 1 more ? and what is this that ye say father, retained him; and he abode unto me, What aileth thee ? with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

25 And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household.

5 And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart; and the damsel's father said unto his son in-law, Comfort thy heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.

26 And the children of Dan went their way and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turn ed, and went back unto his house. 6 And they sat down, and did eat and 27 ¶ And they took the things which drink both of them together: for the Micab bad made,-and the priest which damsel's father had said unto the man, he had, and came unto Laish, unto a Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all people that were at quiet, and secure: night, and let thy heart be merry and they smote them with the edge of 7 And when the man rose up to dethe sword,and burnt the city with fire. [part, his father-in-law urged him 28 And there was no deliverer, be-[therefore he lodged there again. cause it was far from Zidon, and they 8 And he arose early in the morning had no business with any man; and it on the fifth day, to depart; and the was in the valley that lieth by Beth-re-damsel's father said. Comfort thy hob and they built a city, and dwelt heart, I pray thee. And they tarried therein. until afternoon, and they did eat both 29. And they called the name of the of them. city Dan, after the name of Dan their] 9. And when the man rose up to defather, who was born unto Israel :part, he, and his concubine, and his howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the firet.

servant, his father-in-law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now the 30 ¶ And the children of Dan set up day draweth toward evening, I pray the graven image and Jonathan the you tarry all knight : bebold, the day son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, groweth to an end, lodge here, that thy he and his sons were priests to the heart may be merry; and to-morrow tribe of Dan until the day of the cap-get you early on your way, that thou xity of the land.

mayest go home.

they set them up Micah's 10 But the man would not tarry that which he made, all the night, but he rose up and departed, use of God was in Sbi-and came over against Jebus, (which

XIX.

pass in those days, vas no king in 1s]

is Jerusalem,) and there were with him two asses saddled; his concubine also was with him.

11 And when they were by Jebus, the

He is entertained

CHAP. XX.

at Gibeah.

day was far spent, and the servant door, and spake to the master of the said unto his master, Come, I pray house, the old man,saying, Bring forth thee, and let us turn in unto this city the man that came into thy house, that of the Jebusites. and lodge in it.

12 And his master said unto him,We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.

we may know him.

23 And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into my house, do not this folly.

13 And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of 24 Behold, here is my daughter, a these places to lodge all night, in Gib-maiden, and his concubine; them I eah, or in Ramah. will bring out now, and humble ye

14 And they passed on,and went their them, and do with them what seemeth way; and the sun went down upon good unto you: but unto this man do them when they were by Gibeab, not so vile a thing. which belongeth to Benjamin.

25 But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused ber all the night until the morning; and when the day began to spring, they let her go. 26 Then came the woman in the

15 And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city; for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging. 16 T And, behold, there came an old dawning of the day, and fell down at man from his work out of the field at the door of the man's house where her even, which was also of mount Eph-lord was, till it was light.

rain; and he sojourned in Gibeah: 27 And her lord arose up in the morn but the men of the place were Benja ing,and opened the doors of the house, mites. and went out to go his way; and, be

17 And when he had lifted up his hold, the woman his concubine was eyes, he saw a way-faring man in the fallen down at the door of the house, street of the city: and the old man and her hands were upon the threshsaid, Whither goest thou? and whence old.

comest thou?

28 And he said unto her, Up, and let 18 And he said unto him, We are us be going. But none answered. Then passing from Beth-lehem-judah to-the man took her up upon au ass, and ward the side of mount Ephraim; from the man rose up, and gat him unto bie thence am I; and I went to Beth-le-place.

hem-judah, but I am now going to the 29 T And when he was come into his house of the LORD; and there is no house, he took a knife, and laid hoid man that received me to house. on bis concubine, and divided her, to

19 Yet there is both straw and prov-|gether with her bones, into twelve ender for our asses; and there is bread pieces, and sent her into all the coasts and wine also for me, and for thy of Israel. bandmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants; there is no want of any thing.

20 And the old man said, Peace be with thee: howsoever, let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.

21 So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the usses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

22 ¶ Now, as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the

30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israelcame up outof the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.

went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan, even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

2 And the chief of all the people, even

The complaint

JUDGES.

of the Levite. of all the tribes of Israel, presented 15 And the children of Benjamin themselves in the assembly of the peo-were numbered at that time, out of the ple of God, four hundred thousand cities, twenty and six thousand men footmen that drew sword. that drew sword, besides the inhabit

3 (Now the children of Benjamin ants of Gibeah, which were numbered heard that the children of Israel were seven hundred chosen men. gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the 16 Among all this people there were children of Israel, Tell us, how was seven bundred chosen men left-bandthis wickedness? ed; every one could sling stones at a

4 And the Levite, the husband of the hair-breadth, and not miss. woman that was slain, answered and 17 And the men of Israel, besides said,1 came into Gibeah that belongeth | Benjamin, were numbered four hunto Benjamin, I and my concubine, to dred thousand men that drew sword: lodge. all these cere men of war. 5 And the men of Gibeak rose against 18 And the children of Israel arose, me, and beset the house round about and went up to the house of God, and upon me by night, and thought to asked counsel of God, and said, Which have slain me: and my concubine of us shall go up first to the battle have they forced, that she is dead. against the children of Benjamin? 6 And I took my concubine, and cut And the LORD said,Judah shall go up her in pieces, and sent her throughout first.

all the country of the inheritance of 19 And the children of Israel rose up Israel: for they have committed lewd-in the morning, and encamped against ness and folly in Israel. Gibeah.

7 Behold, ye are all children of Israel: give here your advice and counsel. 8 And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.

20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.

21 And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah,and destroy9 But now this shall be the thinged down to the ground of the Israelwhich we will do to Gibeah; we will|ites that day twenty and two thousand go up by lot against it;

men.

10 And we will take ten men of a 22 And the people the men of Israel hundred throughout all the tribes of Is-encouraged themselves, and set their rael, and a hundred of a thousand,and battle again in array in the place a thousand outof ten thousand,to fetch where they put themselves in array victual for the people, that they may the first day.

do, when they come to Gibeah of Ben- 23 (And the children of Israel went jamin, according to all the folly that up and wept before the Lond until they have wrought in Israel. even, and asked counsel of the LORD, 11 So all the men of Israel were gatheaying, Shall I go up again to battle ered against the city, knit together as against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the Lond said, Go up against him.)

one man.

12 ¶ And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribes of Benjamin,saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?

24 And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.

13 Now therefore deliver us the men, 25 And Benjamin went forth against the children of Belial, which are in them out of Gibeah the second day, Gibeah, that we may put them to and destroyed down to the ground of death, and put away evil from Israel. the children of Israel again eighteen But the children of Benjamin would thousand men; all these drew tho not hearken to the voice of their breth-sword. ren the children of Israel:

14 But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

26 ¶ Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the Lond, and fasted that day until even,and offered burnt

CHAP. XXI.

War between Israel and Benjamin. offerings, and peace offerings before 38 Now there was an appointed sign [between the men of Israel and the

the Lord.

27 And the children of Israel inquired liers in wait, that they should make a of the LORD, (for the ark of the cove-great flame of smoke to rise up out nant of God was there in those days. of the city.

28 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar, 39 And when the men of Israel rethe son of Aaron, stood before it in tired in the battle, Benjamin began to those days,) saying, Shall I yet again smite and kill of the men of Israel go out to battle against the children of about thirty persons; for they said, Benjamin my brother,or shall I cease? Surely they are smitten down before And the LORD said, Go up; for to- us, as in the first battle. morrow I will deliver them into thy hand.

29 ¶ And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.

40 But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.

30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin 41 And when the men of Israel turnon the third day, and put themselves ed again, the men of Benjamin were in array against Gibeah, as at other amazed for they saw that evil was times. come upon them.

31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

32 And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways,

33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows

42 Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.

over

43 Thus they enclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease against Gibeah toward the sun-rising. 4 And there fell of Benjamin eigli teen thousand men; all these were men of valour.

45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them. 34 And there came against Gibeah 16 So that all which fell that day of ten thousand chosen men out of all Is-Benjamin were twenty and five thourael, and the battle was sore: but they sand men that drew the sword; all knew not that evil was near them. these were men of valour.

of Gibeah.

35 And the LORD smote Benjamin 47 But six hundred men turned and before Israel; and the children of Is-fed to the wilderness unto the rock rael destroyed of the Benjamites that Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimday twenty and five thousand and mon four months. a hundred men: all these drew the sword.

36 So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.

43 And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand; also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.

CHAP. XXI.

OW the men of Israel had sworn

37 And the liers in wait hasted, and Notiz eh, saying, There shall

:

rushed upon
Gibeah and the liers in
wait drew themselves along, and smote
ull the city with the edge of the sword.

in

not any of us give his daughter upto Benjamin to wife.